By LINDA BOUVET, LSSU Sports Information Director

With Lake Superior State being the smallest state school in Michigan, Laker coaches don't have the luxury of keeping their student-athletes on campus during the summer months. The success or failure of their student-athletes working out on their own is evident when they return to school.

It's quiet around the Norris Center from May through August, with the exception of a few weeks when camps are in session. Last summer, the few who milled around the Norris Center every day couldn't help but notice the 6-4, 212-pound frame of Sault Ste. Marie's own Kyle Jean. Whether he was skating, running sprints or lifting weights, more often than not he worked out alone. Jean's persistence never waivered.

“Everyone wants to get better,” said Jean, a sophomore forward and a big part of the Lakers' fast start in 2011-12. “If you want to improve, one way to do that is to get stronger and faster, and spend time working on your game. It takes self-motivation. You have to push yourself every day. You've got to love the sport you play to want to do that.”

Jean had a successful freshman campaign, leading Laker rookies in points with 14. He had the luxury of playing with standout seniors Rick Schofield and Will Acton during part of the season, and soaked up as much knowledge as he could from last year's senior class. It haunted Jean that he only scored one goal, but he tallied shootout goals during games against Ohio State and Western Michigan that were two of LSSU's most-exciting wins of the 2010-11 season.

“We lost two guys who are playing professional hockey now,” Jean said, noting their impact on the LSSU program. “You try to take different things from them, and try to make your game better and learn from them. Now it's time for other guys to step up and make more contributions to the team.”

“Coming in as a freshman, it's a learning process,” added sophomore forward Kellan Lain, who is Jean's roommate. “You learn from the seniors and coaches. You come back here and know what to expect and know the systems. If you follow the systems, you get a little more leeway and gain a little more confidence. I know Coach expects a lot out of our class. We didn't do too well last year in contributing points-wise. But anytime you get to play as a freshman, well, it's great.”

Jean started off the 2011-12 season with a goal and an assist during the Lakers' season-opening 3-2 victory at Alabama-Huntsville, then returned home to record the Lakers' first hat trick since 2007. He's one of three players with a team-leading nine points as LSSU is off to 7-1 start, its best start since 1989-90.

Jean created at least two other great scoring chances during the Lakers' 5-4 back-and-forth victory over Michigan State, and his third goal gave LSSU a 4-3 lead midway through the third period. The Spartans had no answer for his line, which included 6-1, 200-pound junior left wing Nick McParland and 6-5, 225-pound freshman right wing Buddy Robinson.

Jean said he felt chills every time he took the ice, and was anxious to have a good game for his grandmother, who was able to attend the game after being released from long-term care.

“I don't know if the fans realize that a big crowd like that really does help,” said Jean, whose last memory of a hat trick was as a midget. “It felt good. There was a lot of energy. Our line was doing well. We had a lot of scoring chances, and I think we could have had a couple more goals with the way things were going that night. It was special.”

Jean anchors a big line with speed to match. He's thankful for the playing time he received as a rookie and feels more comfortable in his role this year.

“We have to play big, use our bodies to protect the puck and create scoring chances,” Jean said. “We don't try to think about scoring goals. We worry about playing hard and getting scoring opportunities, and let the goals, assists and points take care of themselves.”

“He's playing bigger and a bit more gritty,” said Lain, who is 6-6, 221 pounds. “He's using his size more. Any time we can use our size we will be effective. The second you stop playing big, you're not really effective.”

Jean spent most of his travel hockey years playing outside of Sault Ste. Marie, but always dreamed of returning home and wearing the anchor. He played two seasons of junior hockey for former Lakers Anthony Palumbo and Mike Matteucci, who coached the Traverse City North Stars. Current Lakers Dan Radke, Kelin Ainsworth and Nick Shkreli are also former North Stars.

“Anthony is a national champion, and so is Mike,” Jean said. “Those two guys had some influence on my coming here, but obviously being a hometown kid I wanted to come here. A lot of what Anthony does is similar to what Coach Roque does. The biggest thing I worried about was the transition and the faster pace. I put in as much time as I could over the summer, and I felt pretty good right away. But obviously it's a transition any time you make a big jump.”

Jean noted the comfort he has in knowing his parents, Steve and Vicki, are always nearby.

“They are the first people I go to after games, after a win or a loss,” he said. “They inspire everything I do.”

“He's one of the nicest guys you'll meet on the team,” Lain said of his teammate. “He's a real family guy. His family will have us over for dinner and they know all of us. He's religious, has good morals and is a good guy to be around. He's positive, and brings out the best in everybody.”

LSSU lost 44 percent of its goal scoring and 42 percent of its point production from last season, and coach Jim Roque has successfully delivered his message that the Lakers can't be a one-dimensional team in 2011-12. The Lakers are off to a fast start, with a 5-1 record in one-goal games.

“As a team, we're trying to get everyone on board in terms of confidence,” Jean said. “We realize we are a good team and can beat teams like Miami, Michigan and Notre Dame. Those are the top teams in our league. I don't think you'll see three teams (dominate). Michigan – they're just a team. They put on skates and equipment just like everyone else.”